Business Services Specialist

Position Overview:

The Business Services Specialist provides operational, administrative, and customer service support to ensure business functions run smoothly. Acts as a liaison between departments, maintains records, processes contracts/purchases, helps with budgeting and compliance, and may deal with internal technology or service request tools. The role helps drive efficiency, accuracy, and high-quality customer service (both internal and external).

Job Duties:

• Prepare and make presentations to businesses throughout the region to explain services and promote a better understanding of business opportunities available with the Office of the County Engineer.
• Makes needed information available to the different divisions within the department related to overall business operations, such as sources of supply, government contracts and bidding procedures, market data, and management aids.
• Coordinate procurement, purchase requisitions, contracts, and vendor communications.
• Assists with and maintains contacts with AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firms. Acts as liaison between business firms to facilitate the resolution of immediate and long-range concerns or problems.
• Coordinate travel, meeting, or event arrangements.
• Handle Customer service calls by responding to inquiries, helping staff or external customers with process questions or issues.
• Use internal tools to maintain procurement, financial, and contract tracking platforms to ensure data integrity.
• Identify process improvements and assist in implementing more efficient workflows.
• Perform duties as assigned.

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a closely related field.
• A Master's degree in a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in customer service or business development, client service management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good written and verbal communication.
• Customer service orientation.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Basic financial skills (budgeting, tracking expenses, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), internal procurement, or financial systems.
• Ability to learn/work with specialized software (travel booking, procurement, recordkeeping).
• Problem-solving mindset; ability to spot inefficiencies.

Licensure:

• Valid Texas Driver's License upon hire, and a good driving record

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:

In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.
Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event). This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
Wellness.
Professional development opportunities.
Flexible spending accounts.
457 deferred compensation plans.
Retirement pension (TCDRS).
Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
Disability and life insurance.
Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).